In a decision that sends a warning to all duty holders, a major company has been ordered to pay nearly $600,000 in damages to a worker who tripped on office cables.
Workplace early-intervention programs play a crucial role in preventing mental health problems escalating, and have helped one white-collar worker realise her back and neck pain was exacerbated by anxiety, according to occupational physician Dr Andrea James.
Health problems associated with occupational sitting aren't mitigated by daily vigorous exercise, according to a new Safe Work Australia-commissioned report, which warns excessive sitting and physical inactivity are separate issues.
The family of a finance employee who died from cardiac arrest has been awarded death benefits, after a commission found the stress of being placed on a "watch list" in a "ruthless" industry contributed to his illness.
A worker has been denied compensation for the cost of wrist surgery, after a superior court found an arbitrator incorrectly identified the incident that caused the relevant injury.
European researchers have identified a strategy for tackling the "high prevalence of persistent fatigue" among sedentary workers, while Australian workers are being challenged to be "chair aware" and get up every 30 minutes.
Two studies from the US and Australia have shown sit-stand desks can reduce lower back pain and discourage sedentary behaviour in a "real world" office environment without affecting productivity.
A worker has been denied compensation for tinnitus after the AAT found there was little more than a temporal connection between her employment and her condition. The Tribunal has also rejected a hand-injury claim after hearing there is no scientific evidence linking keyboard use to carpal tunnel syndrome.
Employers need to "intensify" their strategies for reducing work-related stress, according to researchers, who have found a third of workers in a white-collar industry could be clinically depressed.
An electorate officer for Federal Senator John Madigan has been denied workers' compensation for a psych injury, after the AAT found that at least one of the multiple work-related causes of his injury was reasonable administrative action.